Pot shell for fused bath electrolysis



P 1958 D. P. KELLER 3,400,068

POT SHELL FOR FUSED BATH ELECTROLYSIS Filed June 28, 1965 2 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR DWIGHT F? KELLER ZZMQM MM ATTORNEYS Sept. 3, 1968 D. P. KELLER POT SHELL FOR FUSEI) BATH ELECTROLYSTS 2 Sheets-$heet 2.

Filed June 28, 1965 E .3 i 1 f 55:: :T 4: n .0 .m m

a Q J\ INVENTOR DWIGHT P KELLER ATTORNEY5 United States Patent 3,400,068 POT SHELL FOR FUSED BATH ELECTROLYSIS Dwight P. Keller, Corpus Christi, Tex., assignor to Reynolds Metals Company, Richmond, Va., a corporation of Delaware Filed June 28, 1965, Ser. No. 467,216 2 Claims. (Cl. 204243) The present invention relates to a reduction cell construction in which a novel deck plate mounting is provided to protect against loss of bath by overflowing.

Electrolytic reduction cells or pots for the production of aluminum conventionally employ a steel pot shell to contain the cathode lining system. This is necessary because the lining materials commonly used have limited strength by themselves, and they tend to absorb bath constituents which cause expansion and distortion unless the lining is adequately supported.

A flat deck plate has been provided along the inside top edge of the steel pot to assist in containing the lining materials and afford protection from physical abuse due to normal pot operations. A serious problem encountered with this construction is that leakage of the bath may occur through the space between the deck plate and pot shell. The present invention provides an effective solution to this problem.

For a better understanding of the invention and its various objects, advantages and details, reference is now made to the presently preferred embodiment thereof which is shown, for purposes of illustration only, in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a reduction cell embodying the invention;

FIG. 2 is a section along line II-II of FIG. 1, showing details of construction; and

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2 showing a typical prior art construction.

Referring more particularly to the cell construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, it can be seen that the cell includes a steel pot shell 12 suitably lined with interior side wall lining material 14 which, together with an interior bottom lining (not shown) serves to contain the bath 16 of molten electrolyte. Vertical deck plate brackets 18 are mounted inside the pot shell at spaced intervals to support a deck plate 20. Attachment of the deck plate to each bracket 18 is made by connectors 22 and 24. Connector 22 is threaded to receive a nut at one end, as shown, and the opposite end is formed into a hook which passes through a hole in the adjacent bracket. Connector 24 is a threaded stud welded to the bracket 18 and adapted at the opposite end to receive a nut.

With reference to the prior art construction shown in 3,400,068 Patented Sept. 3, 1968 ice FIG. 3, the deck plate 28 has an inclined flange 30 and the pot shell has an adjoining horizontal flange 32. Under certain operating conditions a high bath level is created. Once the bath contacts the deck plate 28, the resulting sharp temperature increase in the metal of the deck plate causes it to expand and buckle, thereby creating a gap through which the bath can escape. Once started, the flow becomes difficult to stop before a lot of bath escapes and considerable damage is done.

In contrast, the deck plate 20 in FIG. 2 is flat and a flange 40 is provided at the top edge of pot shell 12. Flange 40 projects above the deck plate 20 and serves as a bath lip to prevent leakage outwardly of the cell. The bath still can flow on and under the deck plate (this being virtually impossible to stop altogether), but it cannot spill out. After a short time the molten bath freezes solid, and the loss of bath and resulting damage are thereby prevented.

While the presently preferred embodiment of this invention has been illustrated and described, it will be apparent that the invention may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. An electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum, comprising a pot shell and interior lining to contain the molten bath, a plurality of support brackets spaced along the length of the cell inside said pot shell, a horizontal deck plate supported by said brackets, said pot shell having an angular flange extending upwardly and outwardly at the top thereof, to provide a bath lip projecting above the deck plate.

2. An electrolytic cell for the production of aluminum, comprising a pot shell and interior lining to contain the molten bath, a plurality of support brackets spaced along the length of the cell inside said pot shell, a horizontal deck plate supported by said brackets, said pot shell having a vertical wall and an angular flange extending upwardly and outwardly from said wall at the top thereof, the outer edge of said deck plate being disposed inwardly of said shell adjacent the juncture between its wall and flange, said flange providing a bath lip projecting above the deck plate.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 315,266 4/1885 Farmer 204-244 2,861,036 11/1958 Simon-Suisse 204243 JOHN H. MACK, Primary Examiner.

D. R. VALENTINE, Assistant Examiner. 

1. AN ELECTROLYTIC CELL FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ALUNINUM, COMPRISING A POT SHELL AND INTERIOR LINING TO CONTAIN THE MOLTEN BATH, A PLURALITY OF SUPPORT BRACKETS SPACED ALONG THE LENGTH OF THE CELL INSIDE SAID POT SHELL, A HORIZONTAL DECK PLATE SUPPORTED BY SAID BRACKETS, SAID POT SHELL HAVING AN ANGULAR FLANGE EXTENDING UPWARDLY AND OUTWARDLY AT THE TOP THEREOF, TO PROVIDE A BATH LIP PROJECTING ABOVE THE DECK PLATE. 